Coil unwinder



March 31, 1942. CALLESQN AL 2,278,240

\ COIL UNWINDER Filed June 8, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 31, 1942. c Lso ET AL 2,278,240

COIL UNWINDER Filed June 8, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 31, 1942. A.CALLESON E\TAL 2,273,249

COIL UNWINDER Filed June 8, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 31, 1942- A.CALLESON ETAL COIL UNWINDBR led June 8, 1938 Sheets-Sheet 4 fiaesorv.

' M 8 m4 W arch 31,1942. "A. muse. mm X 2,218 240 con, unwimmn FiledJune 8, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 .C'aas Patented Marl 31, 1942 UNITEDSTWATES-I. PATENT OFFICE COIL UNWINDER Amos Calleson and Edgar-A.Calleson, Merrick,

N. Y., assignors to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., acorporation of New York Application June 8,1938, SerialNo.z12,58 8 v(mime-s) 14 Claims.

The present invention relates to machines for unwinding variousmaterials from reels and is particularly useful in unwinding coils ofstock material, such as sheet metal, for presentation to a metal workingmachine such as a press.

In machines of this character, it is important that during the operationof the coil unwinder andthe metal working machine or press, thatsufllcient slack of the stock material be always fore, is the provisionof means for automatically controlling the unwinding of the stock fromthe coil unwinder whereby the material is properly fed at the desiredspeed to the metal working machine. This means comprises a set ofdriving rolls for receiving and frictionally unwinding the coil of stockfrom the reel. The stock passes from the driving rolls into closeproximity to a balance plate movably mounted on the coil unwinder andoperatively'connected to the drive rolls, whereby should an excessamount of material be unwound, the undesired weight of the slack stripwill actuate the balance plate and thereby automatically render thedriving' rolls inoperative until the weight of the slack is reduced tothe desired predetermined'amount.

A further object is the provision of a reel brake mechanism operativeconnected with the balance plate and driving rolls whereby movement ofthe plate by the excess stock will not only render the driving rollsinoperative, but will also automatically actuate the brake mechanism toapply braking action to the reel until the slack is reduced and normalfeed resumed.

Another object is to provide a fiuid pressure system associated with thedriving rolls, brake mechanism and balance plate, said system""ineludinga valve adapted upon movement of the balance plate by an excess amountof stock material, to simultaneously and automatically render thedriving rolls inoperative and the brake mechanism operative; w

A further object is to associate the feed conbe automatically stopped.

.brake mechanism from the press, and

trol means of the coll-unwinder with that of the metal working machineor press, whereby upon stoppage of the press, the unwinder will also Astill further object is the provision of for actuating the reel brakemechanism when,

for any reason, .the press is stopped. This means is auxiliary to theaforementioned brake operating means and is separately actuated andcontrolled without regard to the movement of the balance .plate.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

the invention will now be more fully described,

reference being had to the accompanying draw ings in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the coil unwinder. 1 s

Figure 2 is an elevation taken from the opposite side of the coilunwinder shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front winder.

Figure 4 is a top plan view thereof.

Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views'of the reel.

Figure 7 is an enlarged section of the main air valve.

elevation of the coil un- Flgure 8 is a section on lines-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an: enlarged longitudinal section of a press cut-in valvefor controlling the reel Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view showing thecoil unwinder, press feed actuating means and the means for driving thecoil unwinder feed, and including the fluid pressure system controllingthe operations of the same.

Referring now th the drawings and particularlyto Figures 1 to 3, thenumeral l0 designates generally the coil unwinder frame having a baseII, and spaced side frame sections l2 and II respectively extendingvertically from the base ll. These sections are connected above the baseby a rear plate l3 forming part of the unwinder frame. Each framesection l2, I2 is provided intermediate its upper and lower extremitieswith a substantially semi-circular stirrup ii for removably androtatably supporting one end of a reel shaft ll. Each stirrup (seeFigure 1) 'is preferably provided with a bearing block I! of 1 meansDrive mechanism for coil unwinder Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the reelI6 is not. directly driven, but is rotated by the sheet metal stock l1as the same is drawn from the reel by passing between a pair of drivingrolls l8 and I! mounted in the frame Ill above the reel IQ, and whichfrictionally act on the metal strip. The sheet metal stock is fed by andthrough the mils l8 and I9, and then passes down around and under thereel [6, where it engages and travels on the upper surface of a 'guidemounted on the base II. This guide is provided with an extension 2Iwhich projects outwardly and upwardly from the base and directs thestock to the feed mechanism of a press or other metal working apparatus,as will be more fully. hereinafter described I Referring to the drivemeans for the coil unwinder, the lower driving roll I8 is fixed to asliaft 22 Journaled for rotation in the side frame sections l2 and I2.This shaft (see Figures 3 and 4) also carries rolls 23and 24 spaced fromand positioned on opposite sides of the driving 'roll it, and cooperatetherewith to adequately support the sheet metal stock I! as it isunwound from the reell6. One end of the shaft 22 extends through theside frame section l2, and this extension carries and is fixed to alarge gear 25 located exteriorly of this frame section (see Figures 2-and 3),. V

The upper drive roll I9 is secured to the inner end of a stub shaft 26(see Figures 3 and 4) which is journaled for rotation in a bracket 21,but is held against longitudinal movement. A small gear 28 is fixed tothe outer end of the stub shaft 25 and meshes with the, large gear 25.The bracket 21 is swingably mounted on a cross rod 29 extending betweenand connecting: the upper ends of the'side frame sections l2 and I2. Theswinging movement to which the bracket 21 is subjected is very slight,since its primary function is to permit the top roll l9 to be raisedsumciently to break the frictional drawing enga'gement of the sheetmetal stock with the driving rolls when it is desired to discontinue thedrawing of stock from the reel. In this connection, the teeth of thegears 25 and 28 are cut deep enoughto permit the required raising of thedrive roll l8, without taking the gears 25 and 28 out of mesh.

The means for controlling the raising and lowering of the upper driveroll to continue or discontinue feeding the strip from the reelcomprises a fluid actuated piston 30 (see Figures 1 to 3) which isenclosed in a casing II. This casing is supported on an arm 32 mountedat the top of the side framesection l2. The interior of the casing 3|constitutes a cylinder for the piston and is provided with an opening inline with the axis of the stub shaft 28 (see Figures 1 and 2). The lowerend of the piston 3| projects through this opening in the casing anddirectly contacts the bracket 21. A flexible diaphragm '33 of rubber orany other suitable material, is secured within the casing above thepiston, thereby forming a fluid pressure chamber with which communicatesa fluid pipe line. II for carrying compressed air into the pressurechamber of the casing 3| above the diaphragm and piston to actuate thesame. The bracket 21 is provided with an inwardly projecting arm 35 (seeFigures 1 and 2) adjacent its outer end which is in line and engageablewith the upper end of a coil spring 36. This spring is supported in anupwardly opening pocket 21 formed inthe'side frame section l2 and exertsan upward pressure against the arm 35.

With the construction just described and assuming that the piston 30 isfree of fluid pressure from the line 34, .the force of the spring 36will raise the bracket 21 and roller is sufliciently to break thefrictional contact between the rolls and the. sheet metal stock l1. Thisrenders the driving rolls inoperative to feed the-stock, notwithstandingthey are being constantly rotated. When, however, fluid pressure isapplied through the pipe line 34 to the diaphragm 33 in the easing orcylinder II, this pressure will move the piston ll which in turn willengage and swing the bracket 21 and depress the same and the drive rollI! downwardly against the action of frictional engagement of the rollswith the stock,

whereby unwinding of the stock from the reel will automatically becontinued until the fluid pressure has been relieved from above thepiston 30. Upon release, of fluid pressure, the spring 28 engaging thearin 35 will lift the same and thereby raise the top feed roll I! tobreak the frictional feeding engagement of the rolls l8 and it with thestrip stock.

Reef brake mechanism Referring to Figures 2, 3 and 6, there is discloseda reel brake mechanism for the coil unwinder. As will be presentlydescribed, the operating means for this mechanism is associated with theabove described drive rolls l8 and I9,

whereby the brake will be automatically applied lated by the stock I'I.That is, when an excess amount or weight of stock has been unwoundbeyond a predetermined permitted slack, the driving -means l8=-l9 willbe rendered inoperative and the brake mechanism placed in operation. Assoon as the excess weight of stock has been fed to the press, the driverolls l8 and I! will again operate to unooil thestock and the tion ofthe side frame section l2, and is provided with an outer surface offriction material 40 which comprehends a substantial area adjacent theperiphery of the disc 38 and is'adapted to frictionally contactthe innerface of the same when brahng action is applied to the reel. A secondblock II is fixedly mounted on the frame section l2 below the block 39and constitutes a base for pivotally supporting a substantially U-shaped bracket 42.

Referring to Figure 2, each end of the block II is formed into a reducedbearing member 43 ensu ng a semi-circular recess at the lower end witha'semi-circular recess cooperate blocks 45 each provided with the recessin the end of each leg 44 and are bolted thereto whereby the U-shapedbracket is detachably and swingably mounted on the block 4|. Anysuitable fastening elements, such as the bolts 45, may be employed forsecuring the end blocks 45 to the ends of the legs 44,

The upper end of the bracket 42 .supports a casing 41 constituting acylinder for a pressure operated piston 48. This piston may be integral,but as shown in Figure 3, is preferably composed of a section 49contained wholly within the easing 41 and a section 50 projectingthrough an opening in the casing and movable into and out of engagementwith the disc 38. The inner end of the section 50 is lined with frictionmaterial similar to the material 40 and is directly in line therewith,that is, the material 5i comprehends a substantial area within theperiphery of the disc 38 and cooperates with the material 40 to applybraking action to the disc 38. A flexible diaphragm 52 is suitablysecured within the'casing 41 and forms therewith a pressure chambercommunicating with a pipe line 53 for applying fluid pressure to thediaphragm and piston to actuate the same.

The bracket 42 being loosely mounted on the block 4|, allows the casing41 to be adjusted with respect-to the disc 38 whereby to control thethrow of the piston and compensate for wear of the friction material toassure the desired braking action at all times. The means for providingthis adjustment comprises a pair of rods 54 (see Figure 3) each securedat one end to the block 39 and having their opposite ends slidably ofeach leg 44. End

engaging in suitable openings in the bracket 42. I

Wing nuts 55 are'threaded upon the free ends of the rods 54, and byrotating these nuts, the casing 4'? and piston 55 carrying the frictionface 5| may be adjusted with respect to the disc 38 so that whensubjected to fluid pressure, the piston will cause the friction face toengage the disc and exert the desired braking pressure.

With the construction as thus described and assuming that fluid underpressure, such as air, has been introduced through the pipe line 53 tothe interior of the casing 61, the diaphragm 52 will be urged inwardlyagainst the piston section 49, which in turn will move the frictionsurface I 55 of the outer piston section 55 into contact with the disc38. Since the friction material 5! is in register or alignment with thefriction material on the fixed block 35, an efiicient brak ing actionwill be applied to the disc 38 on its opposite sides. This braking willbe immediately transmitted'to the reel l6 through the shaft l4 and thuswill prevent overrunning of the same which would otherwise occur andcause an excess amount of stock to be unwound after the driving rollsI8-l9 have been rendered inoperative.

When the fluid pressure is relieved on the diaphragm 52, the brakingaction of the piston will also be relieved. In order to assure theinstant outward movement of the piston section 49 when the fluidpressure has been relieved from the diaphragm, a coil spring (see Figure3) is posi tloned between the sections 49 and 50. .While this spring isof sufiicient strength to effect outward movement of the piston section49, it is to be understood that it is not of sufficient strength toexert braking pressure on the section 50 when a valve operating rod 80.

the fluid pressure has been released on the outside of the diaphragm 52.

Controlling means for drive rolls and brake mechanism Referring'now toFigures 1, 2 and 10, it will be observed that pipe line 34 leads to andcommunicates with a valve 51, shown in Figure 7, which will hereinafterbe designated the main air valve. Pipe line 53, however, does notleaddirectly to valve 51 but connects with a presscut-in valve I05 which isin turn connected to a conduit 106 leading to valve 51, as will later bedescribed. A conduit 58 leading from a source of fluid supply, such asan air supply tank 59 communicates with the valve 5l, as shown. Thevalve 51 (see Figures '7 and 8) may be of any suitable construction andin the present instance, comprises a casing 50 having a cylindricalpassage 5| extending longitudinally of and entirely through the casing.A tubular sleeve 62 constitutes a lining for the passage and is providedwith spaced ports 63 and 64 located on one side of the valve casing andwhich communicate with- ,in direct alignment with the port 63. This portcommunicates with the conduit 58 leading from the air supply tank 59.

The above mentioned ports 53,154,. 65 and 56 are located on the righthand side of the valve casing M as shown in Figure 7, while a second setof four ports are located on the left hand side of the valve casing. Twoof these latter ports, designated as 69 and 10, communicate throughvalve I05 and line I06 with the pipe line 53 leading to casing 47 of thereel brake mechanism. Directly opposite and aligned with the port 59 isport H which, similar to port 68, communi cates with conduit 58. At apoint directly opposite and aligned with port 70, is a port I2 which,similar to .port 65, communicates with an air exhaust hole or opening 13leading to the atmosphere and controlled by an exhaust retarding needlevalve 14, identical to the valve Bl.

A valve element 15 is mounted in the passage 5! and is adapted toreciprocate therein within certain limits. Washers l5 and 11 are securedto opposite ends of the valve element to limit the movement thereof inopposite directions. The valve element is provided with annular spacedgrooves or recesses 78' and 19 respectively which are so positioned andrelated to each other and to the above mentioned ports in the casing,that control of the'driving rolls and brake mechanism is accomplishedupon predetermined reciprocation of the valve element in the passage BIand registry of the annular grooves with the ports in the variouslongitudinal positions of the valve 15 in the casing. The operation ofthis valve and its effect on the driving rolls and brake mech-- anismwill presently be described in detail.

.Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 7, it will be observed that the-end ofthe valve element 15 which carries the washer I1, is connected to oneend of The other end of the rod 80 is pivotally connected to a rock arm8i (see Figure 1) which is fixed to one end of a cross shaft 82, thelatter being rotatably and hence pivotally mounted between the crossframe sections I2 and I2 adjacent the base I I of the coil unwinder asshown at 82' (see Figure 3). A balance plate 83 is fixed to andsupported by the upper side of the cross shaft 82, which, as shown inFigures 1 and 2, is substantially square in cross-section. The greaterextent of this balance plate is on the right hand side of the pivotshaft 82, as viewed in Figure 1, while substantially all of that portionof the plate on the left hand side of the shaft 82 is positioned belowthe guide member 20. A brace 84 connects the underside of the plate withthe cross shaft 82, and a weighted element 85 is secured to theunderside of that portion of the plate extending below the guide 28.

'the sheet metal stock will have no effect in moving the balance plateabout its pivot. When, however, the stock material builds out to thedotted line position shown in Figure 1, the weight of this excessmaterial will cause the balance plate to pivot upon the shaft 82 fromits full line position to the dotted line position.

When the balance plate 83 is in its normal full line position andassuming that the drive rolls I8 and I9 are rotated at their normaloperating speed, the valve element I will be maintained in the positionshown in Figure '7, by the operating rod 80 and the rock arm 8|. It willbe observed that in this position of the valve element I5, the

annular groove I8 is in register with the ports 63 and 68 and therebyplaces the conduits 58 and 34 in communication. Thus, compressed airfrom the air tank59 is transmitted to the casing 3I and piston 30,whereby the drive roll I9 is forced downwardly into engagement with thestock sufiiciently to provide a frictional driving contact between therolls and the stock I! to unwind stock from the reel. At thesame time,the

groove I9 places the pipe line I86, valve I85, and

pipe line 53, leading to the reel brake mechanism casing 41, incommunication with the exhaust opening l3, thereby exhausting air fromthe pipe line 53 and rendering the brake mechanism and piston 48inoperative to apply any braking action to the disc 38.

When, however, the stock material has built up a slack above apredetermined weight, so as to move the balance plate from its full lineto its dotted line position, this movement of the plate as abovedescribed, will be transmitted through the rock arm 8I and actuating rod80 to the valve element 15, thereby moving the latter to the right inthe casing 80 in Figure '7 until the washer "I6 abuts the end of thecasing. This has the effect of moving the groove 18in the valve out ofregister with the ports 63 and 68 and placing the groove 78 in registerwith the ports 64 and 65.

Thus, communication between the pipe lines 58 and 34 is cut off and thepipe line 34 is connected with the exhaust opening 86 leading to theatmosphere. The air is thus exhausted from the pipe line 34, relievingpressure on the top of piston 30. The coil spring 36 immediately raisesthe bracket 21 and drive roll I9 sufficiently to break frictionalcontact between the drive rolls and the stock material'and to render theuncoiling operation of the coil unwinder inoperative. At the same timethat the drive rolls I8 and I3 are rendered inoperative, the brakemechanism is rendered operative by reason of the groove 19 of the valveelement 15 registering with the ports 69 and 'II. This places the pipelines 53 (through valve )5 and conduit I06) and 58 in communicationwhereby air pressure is transmitted to the diaphragm 52 incasing 41 andthe piston 48 is forced into braking engagement with the disc 38. As willbe explained hereinafter in greater detail, the stock as it reaches theinclined upper end 2i of the guide 20, passes to the feed mechanism ofthe press or other metal working machine. This press feed mechanismfeeds the stock material into the press at a slightly slower rate thanthe stock is fed through the driving rolls I8 and I9. This is to preventthe press feedmechanism from exerting any pulling action on the rolls I8and I9 through the stock material, since such action might tend toinjure the stock, the coil unwinder, and possibly the metal workingmachine. As the stock is thus fed from the drive rolls I8 and I9 at aslightly greater speed than it is taken up by the press feed mechanism,the stock necessarily tends to build out and it is therefore necessarythat some means such as the balance plate and its associated elements beprovided to automatically control the feed of the stock material.

After the balance plate has been moved about its pivot from its fullline to its dotted line position (see Figures 1 and 2), the drivingrolls, as above explained, will be rendered inoperative to unwind stockfrom the reel I6. These driving rolls will remain inoperative until thefeed mechanism of the press has taken up the excess or slack stock tothe point where the weight of the stock will no longer maintain thebalance plate in its dotted line position. As the excess stock materialis taken up, it will reach a point where the predetermined weight of theelement will overcome the weight of the stock, and thus move the balanceplate about its pivot 82. This movement will actuate the valve elementI5, sliding it again to the position shown in Figure 7, where airpressure is simultaneously exhausted from the pipe line 53 and appliedto the line 34 to again render the drive rolls I8 and I9 operative andthe brake mechanism inoperative. These automatic feeding and brakingoperations will continue as long as the press and coil unwinder areactuated and will effectively control the unwinding of the stockmaterial and the feeding of the same to the press.

Control of coil unwinder by press Referring again to Figures 2; 3 and10, there is disclosed the means for driving the rolls I8 and I9 fromthe press. The press may be of any desired construction and is thereforediagrammatically illustrated and designated as a whole by the numeral88. The stock material I1 travels from the coil unwinder to the pressfeed mechanism which is notshown but which includes a shaft 81. Thepower for operating this press feed shaft is derived through a motor orother prime mover (not shown), which imparts rotary motion to a pulley88 driving shaft 89 and small and large intermeshing gear wheels 90 andSI respectively. A sprocket chain 92 transmits power from the pressshaft 81 to. a sprocket gear 93, loosely mounted for rotation on one endof a Adjacent the sprocket gear 98 is mounted a small gear wheel 95splined or keyed to the shaft 80.

A spring pressed pawl 98 (see Figures 2 and 3) is carried on thesprocket gear 98 and is normally urged into contact with the teeth ofthe gear 95. Thus, rotary motion from the sprocket gear 98 is impartedto the gear 95 as long as the sprocket wheel is rotating in acounter-clockwise direction, as shown in Figure '2, i. e., as long asstock is being fed to the press. If, for any reason, the rotation of thepress feed mechanism is-reversed, this reverse movement is imparted tothe sprocket chain 92 and sprocket gear 98.

Such action, however, merely permits the pawl 95 to slide over the teethof the gear 95 without imparting reverse rotary motion thereto. Thepurpose of this construction is to prevent any reversing motion beingcommunicated to the drive mounted on the side frame section I2, and thispinion 91 in turn meshes with the large gear wheel 25 on the shaft 22carrying the lower drive roll I8. Thus, rotation of the press and pressfeed mechanism imparts a relative rotation to the gear 25 andto thedrive rolls I8 and I9, since as above stated, the gear 25 on shaft 22meshes with gear 28 on the stub shaft carrying the upper drive roll I9.

In addition to the means for applying braking action to the reel I0 whenthe drive rolls I8 and I9 are rendered inoperative, means are alsoprovided to eflfect braking operation of the reel ii for any reason thepress or press feed mechanism, is rendered inoperative. This means isassociated with the fluid pressure operating system and controls boththe coil unwinder and the press. It is to be understood that the press80,

which is diagrammatically shown in Figure 10,

may be of any desired construction and forms no sociation with the coilunwinder.

The numeral as designatesa press operating the valve 80 andcommunicateswith an air: clutch- I02 and an air brake I08 oiconventional design. This-arrangement is such that whenthe valve 88 isin position to place the air supplytank 59 in communication with thepipe line "I, the air clutch I02 will be operatively connected to the apart of the present invention, other than its aspipe line 58 wasdescribed as placing these two members in communication through themedium oi the press cut-in valve I05 and conduit-I00, whereby fluidpressure from the tank 59 passes through the conduit 58 to the valve 51and then through the line to the brake, when the valve element 15 is inone position of movement. That is to say, the-press cut-in valve I05 isconnected to one end of the pipe line 58 and the flow of compressed airto the reel brake casing 01 by way of the pipe line58, passes throughthe conduit I00, press cut-in valve I05 and pipe line 53 as abovedescribed. During the normal operation of the coil unwinder, the valve98 will be set to permit now through the conduit IN and close of! airpressure through the conduit I04 leading to the valve I05. Thus, thecompressed air will pass through the conduit 58 to the valve 51, and ifthis valve has been moved by the balance plate 83 to shut off the flowof compressed air to the driving rolls I8 and I9. the flow or air willbethrough the conduit I08, which will move the valve element I01 to theleft. The valve I05 is so constructed that the pipe line 58 ispositioned centrally oi the ends of'the valve and connects with anelongated port I8 (see Figure 9) which places the pipe line incommunication with ports I09 and H0 oi the valve casing communicatingwith opposite ends 01! the passage III within which the valve elementI01 is reciprocated. Thus, with the valve element I01 moved to the leftof Figure 9, the

' to the press feed mechanism 81, the balance plate I,

88 will function to reciprocat the valve element 15' of the valve 51 andautomatically direct the compressed air either to the driving rolls I8and I0 or to the-reel brake mechanism, depending upon the amount ofstockthat is beingied to the balance plate. If it is desired to closedown the press by actuating the handle 98 of the valve 98, thecompressed air entering the valve casing from the pipe section I00 willbe directed away from the conduit IOI, thereby declutching the airclutch I02 and actuating the brake I08. At the same time, the compressedair will pass through the conduit I00;,.mo ving'the valve element I01 ofvalve I05 to the position shown in Figure 9. This movement of thevalveelement I01 will cause the compressed air to flow through the port I09to shaft 89 tooperate the press reed, while the air will simultaneouslymaintain the air pressure brake I08 in released position against thetension -oi suitable springs (not shown). The other side of the valve 88connects the tank 59 and branch I00 with a conduit I00. This conduit isconnected to one end oi a valve I05, which will hereinaiter bedesignated as a press cut-in valve and is shown .mamnmma. Theothersideoithispress cut-in valve is connected with the main air valve 01 througha conduit I00. A reciprocating valve m or the conduit m.

m initiallydescribing the connection between the reel brake casing 01and the air valve 51, the

the pipe lin 50, and thence to the casing 01 of the reel brake mechanismwhere it will'actuate the piston 00 and apply braking action to the reelI0. Thus, when the press is rendered inoperative, this action will beimmediately transmitted to the coil unwinder and prevent any overrunningof the reel I0 after the press is shut down. when the press is againplaced in opera-' nism of the press and unwinder isshut down.

Means are provided to facilitate this threading operation and to permita manuaioperation of the drive rolls I8 and I0. This is accomplished bymounting ahand wheel II2 (see Figures 1 and shaft I4.

3) on one end of the cross shaft 94. Since the pinion as is fixed to theother end of this shaft and is connected to the gear wheel 25 throughthe gear 31, actuation of the hand wheel II2 will impart rotativemovement to the shafts 22 and 26 and actuate the drive rolls I8 and I9.Thus, the

end of the stock may be readily fed through the drive rolls, down aroundthe reel to the guide 20 and then up to the press feed mechanism 8'I.

. Reel structure Whil any desired type of reel may be utilized tosupport the stock material in the coil unwinder, the one disclosed indetail in Figures 5 and 6 is preferred. In this construction, a pair ofadjustable coil supporting members, indicated as a whole at II3, aremounted on opposite ends of the reel shaft I4. Each member comprises acollar IIl, detachably keyed-by a set screw Ill to the shaft, and uponthis collar is fixed a hub lowing same to be freely rotated. Each bevelgear I It is also provided with a central threaded opening whichreceives the threaded shank I of a coil supporting segment I2I. As shownin Figure 5, ach segment is provided with an arcuate section I22 which,with the other sections, forms a substantially cylindrical support forthe coiled stock material Il. These segments I2I are each provided withan outer laterally extending flange I23 adapted to engage the edge ofthe coil and retain the convolutions in proper superposed relation.

When it is desired to place a coil of stock mainvention shown anddescribed are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and methodsof constructing the same, and that such changes may be made as fallwithin the purview of one.

skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the appended claims.

We, claim:

1. In a coil unwinder, means for supporting and fluid pressure meansoperatively connected.

to said movable member and said stock unwinding and braking means andadapted upon movement of said member by the outermost loop, to renderthe unwinding means inoperative and the braking means operative. I

2. In a coil unwinder, means for supporting a coil of stock material tobe unwound, means for eifecting"- unwinding of the stock material fromthe coil for presentation to a feeding mechanism, means for applyingbraking action to the coil, .a movable member positioned for contactwith the outermost loop of stock material, a fluid pressure systemassociated with said stock unwinding and braking means, and a valveassociated withsaid-system and operatively connected to said movablemember and adapted upon movement of said member by the outermost loop torender the unwinding means inoperative and the braking means operative.i

3. In a coil unwinder, a reel for supporting a coil of stock material tobe unwound, driving rolls positioned adjacent the reel for receiving andunwinding the coil of stock material from the reel, a balance platemovably positioned adjacent the reel for contact with the stock materialafter it leaves the driving rolls, said balance plate terial on a reelpreparatory to inserting the reel in the coil unwinder, it is necessaryto remove one of the supporting members II3 from the reel This isaccomplished by unloosening one of the set screws 4', and removing themember from the shaft. The coil may then be slipped over the shaft andinto engagement with the supporting member II3 which has-not beenremoved. The other member is then replaced on the shaft, with itssegments in coil supporting position. It is to be understood that whenthe coil is initially placed on the reel, the segments necessarflyloosely contact the inner convolution of the coil. However, as soon asthe members are in position on the shaft I4, the segments I2I maybetightly moved into clamping position by rotating one of the bevelgears I I8 of each member. This is easily accomplished by applying awrench or other tool to the hexagonal extension I24 of the gear. Thisextension may either be an integral part of the gear or a nut weldedthereto. This will have the effect of rotating the other three gears ofeach member and moving the posts or shanks I2Il outwardly until themembers tightly clamp the inside of the coil.

With respect to the unwinding of the coil as shown in Figures 1 and 2,it is to be understood that that portion of the stock which passesthrough the drive rolls I8 and I9, and down around thereel to the guide20, may be broadly considered as comprising the outermost loop orconvolution of the coil.

It is to be understood that the forms'of the being adapted to be movedby the weight of the stock material when an excess amount thereof hasbeen unwound, and means operatively connecting said balance plate andsaid driving rolls and adapted upon movement of said plate by the stockmaterial to render the driving rolls inoperative.

4. In a coil unwinder, a reel for supporting a coil of stock material tobe unwound, driving rolls positioned adjacent the. reel for receivingand unwinding the coil of stock material from the reel, a balance platemovably positioned adjacent the reel and adapted to contact and be movedby the stock material after it leaves the driving rolls', and meansincluding a fluid pressure system and a valve operatively connectingsaid balance plate and driving rolls and adapted upon movement of saidplate by said stock material to render the driving rolls inoperative.

u 5. In a coil unwinder, a frame having means for detachablyandrotatably supporting a reel of coiled stock material, driving rollsmounted on said frame and adapted to receive and unwind the stockmaterial from the reel, a balance plate pivotally mounted on said frameand adapted to contact and be moved by the stock material after itleaves the driving rolls, said balance plate being adapted to be movedby the weight of the stock material when an excess amount thereoI hasbeen unwound, and means connecting the balance plate and driving rollsand adapted upon movement of said balance plate by the stock material torender the driving rolls inoperative.

6. In a coil unwinder, a frame, a reel carried by said frame and adaptedto support a coil of stock material to be unwound, driving rolls mountedon said frame above thereel and adapted to receive and unwind the stockmaterial from the reel, a balance plate pivotallymounted on the framebelow the reel and adapted to contact the outermost loop of stockmaterial after it leaves the driving rolls, means operatively connectingthe balance plate and driving rolls j whereby movement of said plateabout its pivot will render said driving rolls operative or inoperative,and meansifor normally maintaining said balance plate in position torender the driving rolls operative, said last mentioned means permittingmovement of said balance plate about its pivot to render thedrivingrolls inoperative when the outermost loop of stock material increases in-size.

7. In a coil unwinder, a frame, a reel carried' by said frame andadapted to support a coil of stock material to be unwound, a pair ofsuperposed driving rolls mounted on said frame above the reel andadapted to receive and unwind the stock material from the reel, one ofsaid rolls being movable into and out of engagement with the other rollsto control the driving effect of the rolls, a fluid pressure operatedpiston connected to said last mentioned roll to maintain the latter inoperative driving relation with the other roll, a fluid pressure systemassociated with said piston, a valve included in said system andconmounted on the frame below the reel and adapted to contact and bemoved by the stock material after it leaves the driving means, and meansassociated with said member, driving means and piston and adapted uponmovement of the memher by an excess amount of stock material to render.the driving means inoperative and operate the piston to move the latterinto braking engagement with the' plate.

10. The combination with a metal working machine operating on stockmaterial and having a stock feeding mechanism, of means for supporting acoil of stock material, means for effecting unwinding of the stockmaterial from the coil for presentation to the,,feeding mechanism, a I

brake mechanism associated with 'the coil supporting means for brakingthe coil as it is unwound, a movable member adapted to contact and bemoved by an excess amount of stock material as it is unwound, meansassociated with said movable member, said stock unwinding means and saidbrake mechanism and adapted upon I movement of said member by the excessstock trolling the flow of fluid pressiire to the piston,-

and a balance plate pivotally mounted on said frame below the reel andadapted to contact and be moved about its pivot by the stock materialafter it leaves the driving rolls, said balance plate being connected tosaid valve to operate the latter to render the driving rolls inoperativewhen an excess amount'of stock material moves the plate about its pivot.

8. In a coil unwinder, a frame, a reel carried by said frame and adaptedto support a coil of stock material to be unwound, a pair of super poseddriving rolls mounted on said frame above the reel and adapted 'toreceive and unwind the stock material from the reel, one of said rollsbeing movable into and out of engagement with the other rolls to controlthe driving eflect of the rolls, a fluid pressure operated pistonconnected to said last mentioned roll to maintain the latter inoperative driving relation with the other 'roll, a fluid pressureactuated reel brake mechanism carried by the frame, a fluid pressuresystem associated with said piston and brake mecha a valve included insaid system and controlling the flow of fluid pressure to the piston andbrake mechanism, and a balance plate pivotally mounted on said framebelow the reel and adapted to contact 'and be moved about its pivot bythe stock material after it leaves the driving rolls, said balance platebeing connected to said valve to operate the latter to render thedriving rolls inoperative and the brake mechanism operative when anexcess amount of stock material moves the plate about its pivot.

9. In a coil unwinder, a frame having means for detachably and rotatablysupporting a reel of coiled stock material, driving means mounted onsaid'framefand adapted to,' unwind the stock ma-.

terial from the reel, 9; 1 brake mechanism including a plate carried byand rotatable with the reelas the stock material is unwound, a pistoncarried by the frame and movable into and out of engagement-with theplate, a member movably material, to render the unwinding meansinoperative and the braking means operative, and means associated withsaid metal working machine and said brake mechanism for rendering thelatter operative when the metal working machine is rendered inoperative.

11. The combination with a metal working machine operating on stockmaterial and having a stock feeding mechanism, of a reel for supportinga coil of stock material to be unwound, driving rolls for receiving andunwinding the coil of stock material from the reel, a reel brakemechanism, a fluid pressure system associated with said driving rolls,brake mechanism and metal working machine, a valve including in saidsystem and adapted to alternately render the driving rolls and brakemechanism operative and inoperative, a movable member positionedadjacent the reel and adapted to contact and be moved by the stockmaterial after it leaves the driving rolls, means connecting the movablemember with the valve whereby movement of said member by the stockmaterial will actuate the valve and render the driving rolls inoperativeand the brake mechanism operative, and a second valve included in saidfluid pressure system and adapted to alternately render the metalworking machine and brake mechanisms operative and inoperative.

12. In a coil unwinder, a frame, means carried by said frame and adaptedto support a coil of stock material to be unwound, driving means forunwinding the coil of stock material, fluid pressure actuated means forrendering the driving means inoperative, a balance plate pivotallymountedon the frame below the coil supporting means and adapted toreceive the stock material as it is being unwound and to be moved aboutits pivot by the weight of the stock material when an excess amountthereof has been material as it is being unwound and to be moved amountthereof has been unwound, and means operatively connecting .said memberwith the fluid pressure operated means and adaptedto actuate said lastmentioned means to render the driving means inoperative when the stockmaterial moves said member about its pivot.

14. A coil unwinder, comprising means for supporting a coil of stockmaterial to be unwound, driving means for unwinding the coil of stockmaterial, fluid pressure actuated means for rendering the driving meansinoperative, a member 2,278,240 about its pivot by the stock whenanexcess movably supported adjacent the coil and adapted toengagethestock material as it is being unwound and to be moved by thestock when an excess amount thereof has been unwound, and meansoperatively connecting said member with 'the fluid pressure operatedmeans and adapted to r actuate said last mentioned means to'render thedriving means inoperative when the stock material moves said member.

AMOS CALLESON. EDGAR A. CALLESON.

